Baby Leg Holder for Diaper Changing

ABSTRACT

A device for changing the diaper of a baby comprising an adjustable strip of fabric, each end of which is equipped with a slip-knot or a loop. When the baby needs to be changed, each loop is slipped over each baby&#39;s feet. The middle of the strip is then wrapped over the neck of the nanny or parent. By straightening up and raising his or her neck, the nanny or parent automatically lifts and restrains the baby&#39;s feet allowing the baby to be changed without any mishaps. At the end of the process the strip is removed from the nanny or parent&#39;s neck and the loops are slipped out from the baby&#39;s feet. The length of the strip can be adjusted by buttons and eyelets, by hooks and loops fastener or by tying a knot in the middle of the strip.

This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/672,235 with the title, “Leg holders for Baby Diaper Changing” filed on Jul. 16 2012 and which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par 119(e)(i). The present invention relates to devices for restraining babies during diaper changing. More particularly, the invention relates to light portable devices that can easily be packed in a diaper bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background

Changing diapers is an art that new parents may find difficult to acquire. When the need arises, they must open up the soiled diaper, get a cleaning tissue while holding the baby's feet, clean the baby, while holding his feet, get a new diaper while holding his feet, get baby skin protectant such as talcum powder or skin lotion while holding his feet, apply the skin protectant while holding his feet, put the new diaper on the baby while holding his feet. And while doing all these tasks the new parent needs to restrain the hands of the baby who is extremely curious and attempts to grab on to any interesting material in the vicinity. Just having one pair of hands is just not enough for the inexperienced parent.

Many existing baby restrainers do exist but they are too large and cumbersome to conveniently carry in a diaper bag which is full of essentials such as diapers, formula, and toys.

There is a need for a device which is light, compact, easily portable, and can be conveniently thrown in the washing machine with the laundry.

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description claims and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a device for changing the diaper of a baby. It comprises a strip of fabric, each end of which is equipped with a slip-knot or a loop. When the baby needs to be changed, each loop is slipped over each baby's feet. The middle of the strip is then placed over the neck of the nanny or parent. By straightening up and raising his or her neck, the nanny or parent automatically lifts and restrains the baby's feet allowing the baby to be changed without any mishaps. At the end of the process, the strip is removed from the nanny or parent's neck and the loops are slipped off of the baby's feet.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for changing the diaper of a baby comprising an adjustable strip of fabric, each end of said strip equipped with a loop.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device that includes buttons and eyelets along its length as a means for shortening its length.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device also including hook and loop fasteners as a means for shortening its length.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device also including a knot tied in its middle as a means for shortening its length.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device wherein the loops are slipknots.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device wherein the slip knots are formed by sewing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device wherein the slipknots are formed by buttons and eyelets.

It is an object of this invention to provide a diaper changing device wherein the slipknots are formed by hook and loop fastener.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for a caretaker to use a diaper changing device. This method includes:

-   -   a) slipping a foot of the baby through one of the loops and         slipping the other foot of the baby through the other loop;     -   b) slipping the middle of the strip over the caretaker's head         and neck;     -   c) adjusting the strip's length;     -   d) straightening up or raising the caretaker head or neck,         thereby lifting the baby's feet;     -   e) removing the strip from the caretaker's head and neck;     -   f) sliding the baby's feet out of the loops.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for a caretaker to use a diaper changing device that comprises a strip. This method includes adjusting the length of the strip using buttons and eyelets.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for a caretaker to use a diaper changing device that comprises hook and loops fasteners. This method includes adjusting the length of the strip using the hook and loop fasteners.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for a caretaker to use a diaper changing device that comprises a strip. This method includes adjusting the length of the strip by tying a knot in the middle of the strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention in front view. It comprises a strip of fabric equipped with two slip-knots or loops at either end. It also includes buttons and eyelets for adjusting the length of the device.

FIG. 2 shows the invention with buttons and eyelets in its untied form.

FIG. 2A shows the invention with buttons and eyelets with slip knots at the ends.

FIG. 2B shows the invention with buttons and eyelets with slip knots at the ends and with buttons inserted in the first eyelets.

FIG. 3 illustrates one variation without buttons and eyelets. Length adjustment is performed by tying a knot.

FIG. 3A shows the variation without button or eyelet in its untied form.

FIG. 4 illustrates using six different slides how a parent or baby sitter could use this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is described in FIGS. 1 through 4. It comprises a strip of fabric 1, equipped at each of its ends with adjustable loops or slip-knots 2. The loops or slip-knots 2 can be implemented simply by tying the ends of the strip into the appropriate knots or by other mechanisms such as sewing, buttons, hooks and loops (Velcro™), snaps, and the like.

The strip of fabric also comprises buttons and eyelets used as a means for adjusting the length of the strip. FIGS. 1 shows the device in it operational configuration with the buttons inserted into the first eyelet. FIG. 2 shows the same button length adjustment with the rest of the device in its open and untied configuration. FIG. 2A shows the device extended to its maximum length (that is without the use of the buttons) but with slip knots at the end of the device. FIG. 2B shows the device with the same button position and with slip knots at the ends.

Another method for adjusting the length includes folding the strip over a hook and loop fastener.

Yet another method for adjusting the length, illustrated in FIG. 3, shows how the length of the strip can be adjusted to accommodate the parent or nanny and the baby, simply by tying a knot in its middle or by adjusting the buttons on each side. FIG. 3A shows the corresponding strips in its untied and open configuration.

The strip of fabric can be made of any convenient material, such as cotton, synthetics or silk, soft enough for the baby yet strong and durable enough to be washed repeatedly in a washing machine. The fabric could be elastic to adapt to the baby's feet.

The invention also covers the utilization of this strip of fabric as illustrated in each slide of FIG. 4. The method of use includes the following:

-   -   a) Slipping each foot of the baby through each loop of the strip         as shown in slide 1 of FIG. 5.     -   b) Slipping the middle of the strip over the head and the neck         of the nanny or parent as shown in slide 2.     -   c) Adjusting the length of the strip by tying a knot in the         strip as shown in slide 3 or by adjusting the side buttons.     -   d) Straightening up and raising his or her neck, which         automatically allows the nanny or parent to lift and restrain         the baby's feet allowing the baby to be changed without any         mishaps as shown in slide 4.     -   e) Removing the strip from the neck of the nanny or parent.     -   f) Sliding the feet of the baby out of the loop at the end of         the strip.

While the above description contains many specificities, the reader should not construe these as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within its scope. Accordingly, the reader is requested to determine the scope of the invention by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples which have been given. 

I claim:
 2. A device for changing the diaper of a baby comprising an adjustable strip of fabric, each end of said strip equipped with a loop.
 3. The diaper changing device of claim 1 also comprising buttons and eyelets along its length as a means for shortening its length.
 4. The diaper changing device of claim 1 also comprising hook and loop fasteners as a means for shortening its length.
 5. The diaper changing device of claim 1 also comprising a knot tied in its middle as a means for shortening its length.
 6. The diaper changing device of claim 1 wherein said loops are slipknots.
 7. The diaper changing device of claim 6 wherein said slipknots are formed by sewing.
 8. The diaper changing device of claim 6 wherein said slipknots are formed by buttons and eyelets.
 9. The diaper changing device of claim 6 wherein said slipknots are formed by hook and loop fastener.
 10. A method for a caretaker of using the diaper changing device of claim 1 which includes: a) slipping a foot of said baby through one of said loops and slipping a second foot of said baby through a second of said loops; b) slipping the middle of said strip over said caretaker's head and neck; c) adjusting said strip's length; d) straightening up or raising said caretaker's head or neck, thereby lifting said baby's feet; e) removing said strip from said caretaker's head and neck; f) sliding said baby's feet out of said loops.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said diaper changing device comprises buttons and eyelets and adjusting said strip's length comprises using said buttons and eyelets.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said diaper changing device comprises hook and loops fasteners and adjusting said strip's length comprises using said hook and loop fasteners.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein adjusting said strip's length comprises tying a knot in the middle of said strip. 